Rapierstar
Rapierstar is a UK-based specialist distributor of proprietary fasteners and fixings (StarPVCU, StarFix, StarTurn, StarDeck, StarPin/StarNail) serving fenestration and construction manufacturers through approved stockists across the UK, Ireland, and Eastern Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersMacclesfield, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Rapierstar does
Rapierstar is a UK-based specialist distributor of high-performance fasteners and fixings serving the fenestration (window and door) and construction sectors. Founded in 1992 and headquartered at Star Business Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, the company operates as a B2B supplier through a network of approved distributors and stockists across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Eastern Europe. Its products are specified on PVCU, aluminium, and wooden window manufacturing systems from major UK profile brands including Eurocell, VEKA, Liniar, profine UK, Deceuninck, Duraflex, Eclectic Systems, KBE, Koemmerling, Rehau, Selecta, Spectus, and WHS Halo. The business sits under Rapierstar Holdings alongside subsidiary Rapierstar Solutions Ltd.
The product portfolio centres on six core branded fastener lines: StarPVCU (carbon and stainless-steel window screws), StarFix (plug-free masonry fixings), StarTurn (universal timber screws), StarDeck (exterior decking screws), and StarPin and StarNail (stainless-steel polymer-headed pins and nails). Most of these feature the proprietary STARFORM thread technology, which lowers drive-in torque and removes the need for pre-drilling during installation. The company operates a unique in-house test facility for quality assurance and, following a recent doubling of its technical centre, can now perform 3D computer modelling and Finite Element Analysis to simulate product behaviour under real-world forces, vibration, heat, and fluid flow. The consumables line (sealants, HSS/SDS drill bits, screwdriver bits, safety gloves, handling straps, touch-up products) extends wallet share within existing customers.
Rapierstar's commercial model is B2B hardware sales through approved stockists, supported by a central distribution centre in Cheshire holding over a billion fasteners, enabling next-day delivery across the UK and Ireland. Pricing on core fastener lines is predominantly quote-based, while consumables carry unit prices ranging roughly £0.26 to £500 per box. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The company monetises technical expertise via Recommended Fixing Manuals for major profile systems, CE marking, and compliance testing to BS EN 9227, EN ISO 1670 grade 4, BS 7412, and PAS24:2012, positioning itself as a specification-grade supplier rather than a commodity wholesaler. Certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE marking, and BIAFD membership.
Rapierstar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rapierstar
- Legal name
- Rapierstar Ltd.
- Website
- https://rapierstar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rapierstar is a UK-based specialist distributor of proprietary fasteners and fixings (StarPVCU, StarFix, StarTurn, StarDeck, StarPin/StarNail) serving fenestration and construction manufacturers through approved stockists across the UK, Ireland, and Eastern Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rapierstar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Fasteners and Fixings
- NAICS
- Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing (332722)
- SIC
- Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452), Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fasteners, Anchors & Connectors (Bolts, Weld Studs, Plates) (IMADACAJ)
Keywords
Where Rapierstar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Macclesfield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rapierstar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Fastener and Fixing Product Sales: B2B sales of specialized fasteners and fixings through distributor network and direct stockist relationships. Products include window screws, masonry fixings, timber screws, decking screws, and polymer-headed pins/nails. Consumable items including sealants, drill bits, safety gloves, and tools also sold.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumable Items - Various price points from £0.26 to £500 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Fastener Products - Quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Rapierstar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rapierstar designs, sources, and distributes a range of branded high-performance fasteners and fixings (StarPVCU window screws, StarFix masonry fixings, StarTurn timber screws, StarDeck exterior decking screws, StarPin/StarNail polymer-headed pins and nails) for PVC-U, aluminium, and wooden window and door manufacturers, installers, and specifiers. Products feature the proprietary STARFORM thread technology, comply with BS EN 9227, EN ISO 1670 grade 4, BS 7412, and PAS24:2012, and carry CE marking. The portfolio is complemented by a consumables range (drill bits, sealants, safety gloves, tools) and supported by Recommended Fixing Manuals for major profile systems.
Product overview
Rapierstar is a specialist distributor of high-performance screws and fixings for the fenestration and construction sectors. The product portfolio consists of six core branded fastener product lines: StarPVCU (window screws for PVCU, aluminium and timber windows), StarFix (masonry fixings), StarTurn (universal timber screws), StarDeck (exterior decking screws), and StarPin/StarNail (polymer-headed pins and nails). These are complemented by a Consumable Items range covering tools, drill bits, safety equipment, sealants, and repair products for the window and door manufacturing industry. The company operates a unique in-house test facility for quality assurance and provides Recommended Fixing Manuals for major profile systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- StarPVCU: Carbon steel and corrosion resistant stainless steel window screws specified on leading PVCU, aluminium and wooden window manufacturing systems
- StarFix
- StarTurn
- StarDeck
- StarPin
- StarNail
- StarDrive
Products and services
- StarPVCU Window Screws Carbon steel and corrosion-resistant stainless steel window screws specified on leading PVC-U, aluminium, and wooden window manufacturing systems, featuring STARFORM thread technology for lower drive torque and reduced assembly time without pre-drilling.
- StarFix Masonry Fixings Plug-free masonry fixings for attaching wood, metal, or PVCu frames to masonry, featuring a Hi-Lo partial cutting thread and sharp point for efficient installation.
- StarTurn Universal Timber Screws Universal timber screws designed for reliable fastening across a wide range of wood and timber construction applications.
- StarDeck Exterior Decking Screws Specially developed exterior decking screws designed for outdoor applications with superior corrosion resistance and weather durability.
- StarPin and StarNail Polymer-Headed Pins and Nails Stainless steel polymer-headed pins and nails providing secure attachment with enhanced aesthetics and corrosion resistance for window and door applications.
- Rapierstar Consumable Items Range of consumable items for window and door manufacturing including sealants, HSS and SDS drill bits, screwdriver bits, safety gloves, super glue, handling straps, lubricating sprays, masonry plugs, repair kits, touch-up pens, covering lacquers, repair wax, sanding disks, Teflon films, manufacturing tools, saw blades, cleaning products, and surface protection items.
Quantifiable outcome
- Products exceed EN ISO 1670 grade 4 corrosion resistance standard
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Rapierstar
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rapierstar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Rapierstar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- VEKAcoreLeading PVC-U profile manufacturer. Rapierstar worked with VEKA to develop fastener expertise supporting testing and NPD. VEKA uses Rapierstar's StarPVCU fasteners in their technical centres along with guidance to achieve desired performance from their systems. Partnership aligned on industry drive for technical excellence.
- profine UKcoreProfile manufacturer creating new training and product development centre. Rapierstar supported profine UK's creation of new training and product development centre with full suite of StarPVCU fasteners and guidance for achieving performance targets.
- LiniarcoreLeading PVC-U profile manufacturer. Partnership aligned on technical excellence goals. Rapierstar provides StarPVCU fasteners and guidance for use in Liniar's technical centres to achieve desired system performance.
- EurocellminorMajor profile system manufacturer whose systems are covered in Rapierstar's Recommended Fixing Manuals (RFMs) showing which screws to use with their profiles.
- DeceuninckminorProfile manufacturer covered in Recommended Fixing Manuals including Deceuninck 2500 Chamfered, 2800 Decorative, and 3000 Zendow systems.
- RehauminorProfile manufacturer with multiple systems covered in RFMs including Rehau 706 Total 70, Heritage VS, and Tritec systems.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rapierstar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hilti: Liechtenstein-headquartered construction technology group selling anchors, screws, drilling tools and engineered services. Comparable in fenestration and construction fasteners and in targeting professional specifiers, but with a much larger product portfolio and direct-to-customer sales model.
- Würth: Global market leader in fasteners, fixings and assembly materials with significant UK operations. Overlaps with Rapierstar across screws, anchors and construction consumables, but operates a much broader catalogue and direct field-sales model across many verticals.
- Fischer: German-headquartered manufacturer of nylon and metal fixings, screws and anchors. Directly comparable on masonry and frame fixings, CE-marked construction products, and a strong technical/specifier brand, but with a much broader European footprint and R&D scale.
- ITW (Illinois Tool Works) Construction Products: Diversified industrial group with multiple construction fastener brands (e.g., Paslode, Spit). Comparable to Rapierstar in nails, screws and fixings for construction and fenestration, but with substantially greater scale and a multi-brand portfolio.
Regional players
- Cleveland Steel & Metals: UK-based distributor of fasteners, fixings and construction hardware. Comparable to Rapierstar's UK distribution-led model for trade and construction customers, though with less fenestration specialisation and without Rapierstar's in-house test facility.
Direct peers
- Rawlplug: UK-headquartered manufacturer and distributor of fixings, fasteners and anchors for construction and fenestration. Directly comparable to Rapierstar in customer base (UK builders, window and door manufacturers), product mix (screws, masonry fixings, anchors), and distribution-led go-to-market.
- Simpson Strong-Tie: US-headquartered manufacturer of structural connectors, screws and fasteners for construction. Comparable to Rapierstar in engineered timber and structural fixings, with overlapping emphasis on tested, code-compliant products and technical documentation.
- SPAX (by ALTENLOH, BRINCK & CO): German manufacturer of timber and construction screws including universal, decking and masonry fixings. Directly comparable to Rapierstar's StarTurn and StarDeck lines on product type and end use, and competes in UK and Ireland distribution channels.
- EJOT: German specialist in fastening technology for building envelopes, façades, windows and solar. Closely comparable to Rapierstar in fenestration screws and fixings, technical advisory content, and standards-driven positioning across Europe.
Emerging players
- Spit (by ITW): ITW-owned trade brand focused on fixings, nailers and consumables for UK and Irish construction trades. Comparable to Rapierstar's installer/developer channel and consumable product lines, with growing overlap in frame fixings and decking screws.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rapierstar social profiles
Digital presenceRapierstar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Rapierstar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rapierstar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Rapierstar subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Rapierstar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rapierstar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rapierstar
What does Rapierstar do?
Rapierstar designs, sources, and distributes a range of branded high-performance fasteners and fixings (StarPVCU window screws, StarFix masonry fixings, StarTurn timber screws, StarDeck exterior decking screws, StarPin/StarNail polymer-headed pins and nails) for PVC-U, aluminium, and wooden window and door manufacturers, installers, and specifiers. Products feature the proprietary STARFORM thread technology, comply with BS EN 9227, EN ISO 1670 grade 4, BS 7412, and PAS24:2012, and carry CE marking. The portfolio is complemented by a consumables range (drill bits, sealants, safety gloves, tools) and supported by Recommended Fixing Manuals for major profile systems.
Is Rapierstar a public or private company?
Rapierstar is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Rapierstar founded?
Rapierstar was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rapierstar based?
Rapierstar is headquartered in Macclesfield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Rapierstar make money?
One revenue line is on record: fastener and Fixing Product Sales.
Who are Rapierstar's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hilti, Würth, Fischer and ITW (Illinois Tool Works) Construction Products. Cleveland Steel & Metals is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Rawlplug, Simpson Strong-Tie, SPAX (by ALTENLOH, BRINCK & CO) and EJOT. Spit (by ITW) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Rapierstar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rapierstar.
What industry is Rapierstar in?
Rapierstar's product category is Industrial Fasteners and Fixings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADACAJ, Fasteners, Anchors & Connectors (Bolts, Weld Studs, Plates). Its NAICS code is 332722 and its SIC code is 3452.